discovered, through eavesdropping on a conversation between the master and Gilon, that Antimodes was paying the

bill for this school, not the conclave, as the archmagus had intimated. This test would prove if his investment had

been sound.

Raistlin prepared to dip the quill in the ink, then hesitated, feeling a qualm of near panic. Everything he had been

taught seemed to slide from his mind, like butter melting in a hot skillet. He could not remember how to spellMagus!

The quill shook in his sweaty fingers. He glanced sidelong, through lowered lashes, at the other two.

"I'm done," said Gordo.

Ink covered his fingers; he'd managed to splash it on his face,

where the black splotches overlapped the brown freckles. He held up the scroll, on which he'd first printed the

wordMagos.Having sneaked a peak at Jon Farnish's scroll, Gordo had hastily crossed outMagosand written

Magusin next to it.

"I'm done," Gordo repeated loudly. "What happens now?"

"For you, nothing," said Theobald with a severe look.

"But I wrote the word just as good as him," Gordo protested, sulking.

"Have you learned nothing, you stupid boy?" Theobald demanded angrily. "A word of magic must be written

perfectly, spelled correctly, the first time. You are writing not only with the lamb's blood but with your own

blood. The magic flows through you and into the pen and from thence onto the scroll."

"Oh, bugger it," said Gordo, and he shoved the scroll off the table.

Jon Farnish was writing with ease, seemingly, the pen gliding over the sheepskin, a spot of ink on his right

forefinger. His handwriting was readable, but tended to be cramped and small.

Raistlin dipped the quill in the ink and began to write, in sharply angled, bold, large letters, the wordsI,

Magus.

Jon Farnish sat back, a look of satisfaction on his face. Raistlin, just finishing, heard the boy catch his breath.

Raistlin looked up.

The letters on the sheepskin in front of Jon Farnish had begun to glow. The glow was faint, a dim red-orange,

a spark newly struck, struggling for life.

"Garn!" said Gordo, impressed. This almost made up for the demon.

"Well done, Jon," said Master Theobald expansively.

Flushed with pleasure, Jon Farnis h gazed in awe at the parchment and then he laughed. "I have it!" he cried.

Master Theobald turned his gaze to Raistlin. Though the master attempted to appear concerned, one corner of

his lip curled.

The black letters on the sheepskin in front of Raistlin remained black.

Raistlin clutched the quill so violently he snapped off the top. He looked away from the exultant Jon Famish,

he paid no attention to the scornful Gordo, he blotted from his mind the leering triumph of the master. He

concentrated on the letters in I,Magusand he said a prayer.

"Gods of magic, if you are gods and not just moons, don't let me fail, don't let me falter."

Raistlin turned inward, to the very core of his being, and he vowed, I will do this. Nothing in my life matters except

this. No moment of my life exists except this moment. I am born in this moment, and if I fail, I will die in this

moment.

Gods of magic, help me! I will dedicate my life to you. I will serve you always. I will bring glory to your name. Help

me, please, help me!

He wanted this so much. He had worked so hard for it, for so long. He focused on the magic, concentrated all his

energy. His frail body began to wilt beneath the strain. He felt faint and giddy. The globe of light expanded in his

dazed vision to three globes. The floor was unsteady beneath him. He lowered his head in despair to the stone table.

The stone was cool and firm beneath his fevered cheek. He shut his eyes, hot tears burned the lids. He could still

see, imprinted on his eyelids, the three globes of magical light.

To his astonishment, he saw that inside each globe was a person.

One was a fine, handsome young man, dressed all in white robes that shimmered with a silver light. He was

strong and well muscled, with the physique of a warrior. He carried in his hand a staff of wood, topped by a golden

dragon's claw holding a diamond.